Shaping our Future Together

April 18, 2011

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:

The semester is winding down, and so is the work group activity of the strategic planning process. (I think I just heard some cheering!) But before we can celebrate, we have an incredibly busy and important push to complete some key remaining tasks.

Broad feedback helps shape the strategic plan

We continue to benefit from your feedback as we refine the ideas that will form KU’s strategic action plan. On April 6 and 7, many of you attended the town hall meetings, and your insights were much appreciated. With the help of an online survey launched last Thursday, we have so far received valuable feedback for the work group reports from about 600 individuals. The survey will be open through Thursday; please help by taking part. By clicking on the survey link, you can access videos of the town hall meetings and the draft reports of the work groups.

In the coming months, we will turn our attention to an important goal that supports everything we want to do in our strategic plan — maximizing our resources and infrastructure. KU will begin an extensive series of interviews to collect information regarding our administrative practices and procedures throughout the university. The goal will be to streamline processes and increase efficiencies in order to improve services and free up money for investments that advance the university’s mission.

Searches and leadership changes

Please help spread the word about two important leadership searches now underway: senior vice provost for academic affairs and vice provost for diversity and equity. Review of applications for both positions will begin April 25. Nominations and applications are invited and may be submitted online through the HR jobs website, position numbers 00000220 and 2000956, respectively.

I am delighted to announce that Bob Lim of The University of Texas–Pan American has been hired as KU’s new chief information officer (CIO) — watch for an official press release imminently! Bob brings impressive people skills and technical savvy to this important role. I want to recognize the great work done by the search committee and committee chair Diane Goddard, vice provost for administration and finance. I especially want to thank Diane for adding the title “interim CIO” to her portfolio this past year — and for helping bring the search and her interim role to a successful conclusion.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Libby Johnson and Gabe Bliss, new president and vice president of the Student Senate. The chancellor and I look forward to working with Libby and Gabe in the coming year. They follow two very gifted leaders, Michael Wade Smith and Megan Ritter, with big shoes to fill.

I congratulate as well the senators, student leaders in clubs and organizations across campus, and award winners who have distinguished themselves in this past year. They help make KU the vibrant and engaged campus that it is.

Thank you

In closing I would like to add my thanks to all who serve on committees — search committees, departmental and unit committees, and strategic planning committees. To the many of you who have taken the time to give thoughtful feedback to the strategic planning process through surveys, focus groups, and discussion boards, I offer my thanks as well. I know that you do these activities on top of your current jobs because of your love and commitment to KU. Your contributions are very much appreciated and of great value.